See inset inside for the Traditional Service (Sat., 6 p.m.) program.

Joseph in JailGenesis 39:20-40:23

GENES I SGrace from the Beginning

16/17 March 2019Vol. 41, No. 11

English Services (8 & 10:30 a.m., & 5:30 p.m.)

PreludeCall to WorshipWorship through PraiseWorship through FellowshipTestimonyScripture ReadingPastoral PrayerWorship in the Word

Elder Ed Trono Worship through GivingResponse SongBenediction

Filipino Service (3 n.h.)

PaghahandaTawag sa PagsambaPagsamba sa Pag-aawitanPagkilala sa mga BisitaPatotooPagbasa ng Salita ng DiyosPanalanging PastoralPakikinig sa Salita ng Diyos

Pastor Dags MiguelPagsamba sa PagbibigayTugon na AwitBendisyon

Today’s Message (16/17 March 2019) / Genesis 39:20-40:23

Joseph in Jail

INTRODUCTION

I don’t think any of us have been imprisoned. But I am sure all of us have found or will find ourselves in situations where our freedom is severely curtailed. Sometimes we are thrust into these prison-like situations through no fault of our own. We may even suffer, like Joseph, as a result of obeying God. In these troubled times, we are hard-pressed, constrained, and bound. We can be very discouraged and extremely frustrated. This story of jailed Joseph teaches us that God’s favor abounds and faith can flourish even in frustrating situations.

1. GOD'S FAVOR (ch. 39:20-23) .

a. God is with us. Innocent Joseph was unjustly jailed. But God’s presence, kindness, favor followed him. God is with us all the time even in what can be expected to be a bad time.

b. God gives success. Success in God’s economy is a good testimony even when down. Joseph had a good testimony in the house of the captain of the guard. His faithful service continued in prison.

Truth: God’s favor never fails even in bad times.Traditional Service (March 16, Sat., 6:00 p.m.)

PreludeCall To WorshipWorship Through PraiseWorship Through FellowshipTestimonyWorship Through GivingScripture ReadingPreparatory HymnPastoral PrayerWorship in the Word

Elder Ed TronoResponse HymnBenediction

Today’s Message (16/17 March 2019) / Genesis 39:20-40:23

Joseph in Jail

2. JOSEPH'S FAITH (ch. 40:1-19) .

a. God is up to something good. God is setting the stage for Joseph’s future role. God sovereignly arranges our circumstances to accomplish His good purposes.

b. God provides opportunities to exercise faith. In faith, hard-pressed Joseph responds to needs, glorifies God, recognizes hardships, and declares difficult truths. When we trust and obey, we are doing God’s will. Daily obedience, even in difficult times, prepares us for our best tomorrow.

c. God, not dreams, decides our destiny. Those in Christ can be certain of an ultimately glorious destiny.

Truth: In hard times, we can trust God who keeps us in the center of His will.

3. THE CUPBEARER'S FORGETFULNESS (ch. 40:20-23) .

a. God establishes our testimony. God proves Joseph’s interpretation right. Although of no immediate benefit to Joseph, his established track record will serve him well later. No matter how bleak today is, be assured God is preparing a bright tomorrow—if not on earth, then for eternity.

b. Godly faith waits. We don’t need faith if we get what we hope for now. Waiting can sometimes be frustrating. But waiting can also be for our training. When frustrated, instead of asking, “Why is this happening to me?” ask, “Why is this happening for me?” Joseph’s expectation was frustrated without God’s explanation.

Truth: God, not our faithful actions, releases us from frustrating situations.

CONCLUSION

We will all be faced with extremely frustrating situations where we feel captured and constrained by our circumstances. God is with us in these seeming prisons of life. We can trust his presence. We can find God’s favor and our faith can flourish even in hard times

by Pastor Ian de Ocampo

THE WORK OF THE SCATTERED CHURCH

Between Sunday to Sunday, the church is scattered in daily life: in our jobs, our offices, or at home. But how relevant are our daily occupations to the kingdom of God? Does God smile when He looks at us in our offices, or as we perform domestic duties at home? Is He pleased at our skills in accounting or business? Is there delight when God looks at an engineer or an artist? What does God think of when we do farming or banking or parenting?

In the first chapter of the Bible in Genesis 1, one of the things we discover about God is that not only does He create, but that He also organizes. Two phrases He often mentions is "Let there be" and "Let us separate.” As He does these things, He looks at everything He did and declares it "good." As beings made in God's image we are also called to do the same. Likewise, we are to create good things and steward them according to God's good intent. We are called to participate in God's work of creating and organizing for the flourishing of the whole creation.

Whenever we do this, we demonstrate to the world who our God is—He is the One who makes good things out of nothing. This is in fact, what he did through Jesus Christ, the image of

God—though we are failed human beings, in Christ we have been made good with God and are now able to live in His ways. Thus as followers of Jesus Christ, whenever we are scattered in our workplaces and homes, we are called to be witnesses of Jesus through our work, helping our world to flourish as God intended it to. We create good things that help create jobs and care for the earth thus we help each other flourish. When we do so, we as the scattered church participate in proclaiming the Kingdom of God where all things are created by Him as good. Just as Jesus Christ said in His throne, "Behold, I am making all things new" (Revelation 21:5, ESV).

PRAY FOR CAGAYAN DE ORO

In the next two weeks, I will be in CDO in preparation for the GCF plan to plant a church there. I will be meeting contacts, possible workers, and explore the area where there is an opportunity to plant. Please pray for this city, that God may go ahead of us and prepare the field. May we be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading and see where the Lord is already working.

Let us know also if you would like to receive prayer updates. Please contact Chad Pineda at 0917 532 7672 if you desire to be a prayer partner

Growth Group Express Mixed group led by Ptr. Emer Manaloto Sundays, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Rm. B124

God’s Grace GG (G4) Group for couples Fridays, 7:30-10:00 p.m. Rm. B124

Chesed 3 Group for ladies ages 21-35 Sundays, 8:30-10:00 a.m. Rm. BM02

Best Together in Christ Group for couples Sundays, 9:30-11:00 a.m. Rm. B508

If you are interested in joining any of the small groups above, fill out the tear-off form of this bulletin, drop it in the offering bag, or submit it at the Growth Group booth at the lobby. For more information, you can text or call us at 0917 532 1921.

Join aDISCIPLE-MAKING

GROUP

Ministry Opportunities + Announcements

The flowers this week are given with praise and thanksgiving to God by the Almirez family, the Basilad family and the Messiah

College. Please call 632 1354 to 56 for inquiries on how to participate in this ministry.

DMG Leaders’ Assembly Precept Facilitators’ Training on “Discovering What the Future Holds” material with Elder Ave Gaspar | March 23 (Sat), 1:00-6:00 p.m. at BM07-08

MARCH Projected Rcvd., Mar. 1-13

General Funds 8,049,598 4,470,789

Mission Support Fund 1,317,698 380,055

Others (Designated, etc.) 954,915 145,355

TOTAL 10,322,211 4,996,199

YEAR-TO-DATE Projected Rcvd., as of March 13

General Funds 24,993,272 21,181,061

Mission Support Fund 3,953,093 2,596,946

Others (Designated, etc.) 2,513,309 1,652,746

TOTAL 31,459,674 25,430,753

S T E WA R D S H I P R E P O R T / March 2019

HOPE AND HEALING SERIES:A JOURNEY TO LIGHT!A SUPAMoms seminarSpeaker: Mrs. Linda VilloriaMarch 23 (Sat), 9 a.m. to 12 noon, Youth CenterPlease register by contacting 0998 975 6520.

BIBLICAL PORTRAIT OF MARRIAGE 1For dating, engaged, and married couplesMarch 30, April 6 & 13 (Sat) at 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at BM07-08 | Reg. is until March 24 (Sun) onlyFee: PhP 150/person, incl. of food and materialsPlease register by contacting 0917 532 7713.

GGEX EXTREME featuring Discovering What the Future Holds by Precept MinistriesAll adults without GG are invited.March 31 (Sun), 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Fellowship HallFree snack and material will be provided.Registration is free but limited to first 200.Register at the booth at the lobby.

PRAY4CDOWe affirm the necessity of bathing in prayer our church planting initiative in Cagayan De Oro. In line with this, we are still looking for more prayer partners. If you wish to receive prayer points regarding this work, text YES <space> PRAY4CDO <space> YOUR FULL NAME and send to 0917 532 7672.

DISCOVERING YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS CLASSApril 7 (Sun), 12:00-3:00 p.m. at Rm. A303For more info, contact 0917 532 7740.

ON THE COVER: “In my dream there was a vine before me, and on the vine there were three branches. As soon as it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and the clusters ripened into grapes.—Gen. 40:9-10. Wine was an important element of ancient Egyptian religious and royal life, imbued with much meaning and superstition (photo from pixabay.com).

The GCF Hour of PrayerTuesdays, 6-7 a.m.

Weeknight Prayer Gatherings Except Wednesdays, 7-8 p.m.

Midweek Prayer ServiceWednesdays, 7-8:30 p.m.

PRAYER at the Chapel

God teaches us to want better thingsB Y N A J E E C H U A

My goal was singular and solid: I wanted to leave this country, get a Master’s degree, find work

abroad, and have a better life. I’d ask God, “If God blessed me with so much, isn’t it my responsibility to grow those blessings, be successful at the top, and then - when I’m rich - help the poor?”Yes, He would bless me with what I want, but no, because He needed to teach me to want better things. And so all my plans, my resources, my time spent trying to leave this country were frustrated, even though I was super active in church.At first, I was angry and thought Him unfair. “How could You do this when I serve You so much?” I knew He was refining me and my desires, and even if it meant discomfort and pain, He showed me that my ultimate treasure was not something the world could offer, not even something He could offer, but really and truly Himself.As I listened to sermons and Bible studies, I was struck by Jesus' life and example towards the poor. I saw how He is a God of Justice, and the way He lived with us, identified with us, and suffered as we do made me consider the Philippines. Dr. Melba Maggay said this: “We become so used to the sight of poverty that we no longer see it.” I felt like God was opening my eyes to see His particular heart for the poor. But the change in my heart was gradual. Time came when someone asked, “If papers were not a problem, would you migrate to the United States?” It shocked

me how fast, resolute, and peaceful my “no” was. I was just as awed to discover a growing love for Filipinos, especially those underprivileged, marginalized, and forgotten.

Today, I am a missionary apprentice to Bukang Liwayway, an NGO that serves the urban poor community. I’ve made friends there and am being discipled by mothers who worship the same Jesus as I do, but in starkly different circumstances. It makes sense for us to help out of excess resources and surplus, and I’m not saying this is wrong, but I want to point out that Jesus’ did it differently. His way reflects an upside-down kingdom, and His way is the way I want to follow and obey.I know my desire to stay and serve the Filipino poor can only be the work of God, because I am selfish and self-advancing. He is peeling layers of myself so that He could become greater and greater and I could become less and less (John 3:30)

For hospital or house visitation, dedication service, or funeral service requests, please

call or text 0917 532 7794.

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